2015 PCT hiker Splob left a book of John Muir’s writings in the Muir hut with this Public Service Announcement (PSA) in the back pages. I thought it’d get a little more mileage by sharing it here. LNT is great because it means that more of us, and our children’s children, can enjoy pristine areas of wilderness.
It’s important when camping near pristine headwaters (or any water source) to keep your chemicals and biohazard waste out of it. Wash/poo well away from water’s edge over a dirt hole and bury it. It’s sad to see lakes and streams full of soap bubbles, much less the invisible sunscreen and Deet, and don’t get me started on white roses. 🐟
But Splob! Look What You Started!
Update 2019: Splob’s little graffiti (he penned his name “Splob”; I have photos) in the Mount Whitney shelter is still in place, and has inspired dozens if not hundreds of other people to also deface the cabin. It used to just be his mark in the southwest corner, now there are graffiti marks on all four walls, the floor… and the ceiling. It’s ugly and stupid and sad, and illegal.
It’s pretty obvious that Splob LITERALLY started this trend, since he was literally the first. All Whitney hut grafitti can be traced back to his little tiny scribble in one corner of the hut — in 2015.
So very embarrassing and ironic, Splob! Butthead!
Granted, the shelter isn’t technically supposed to be there (and neither is Muir Hut) but that’s another discussion.
Want the photos? Remind me and I’ll put them up here.